History of Jazz

Mt. SAC History of Jazz

Text: Jazz: The Basics
Author: Meeder, Christopher
click to access the Ebook

Phone: 909 274-4305
Email: [email protected]
Office: 2m-135
Office hours: Monday & Wednesday 12-2

Course Description:
Non-Music Major Course focusing on the history and sounds of Jazz Music, and the artists and era that created it.

Student Learning Outcomes:
The student will be able to identify the solo or featured musical instrument on a series of recordings
The student will be able to identify jazz styles through a series of recordings

Course Measurable Objectives:

Differentiate between musical styles and performers.
Compare and contrast soloists associated within the same historical style period.
Explain general musical concepts including pitch, rhythm, melody, harmony, form and syncopation.
Discuss the origins of jazz and the cultural and sociological significance of the music.
Explain musical characteristics and identify musical instruments common to various styles of jazz.
Evaluate and assess the artistic and musical skills of various live performers.

Caution! You may find subject matter and course content troubling.

This History of Jazz course will deal with human response both physiological and psychological to music. It will deal with U.S. and World History and societal factors from the 20th and 21st centuries. The materials and facts presented in this class in addition to being historical are very graphic/direct and may be offensive to some.

You should be aware that this class contains- in both lecture and class video presentation- subject matter that contains nudity, verbal obscenities, and explicit reference to: human sexual-psychological response to music, the societal impact of war, racism, rebellion, drug and alcohol abuse, and references to religious beliefs and God.

All of the material is presented in the least offensive manner possible, but this course’s content contains elements that include the aforementioned matters. Academic and Historical integrity requires presentation of this material in an open and honest manner.

If you feel uncomfortable with this material, or at any time become uncomfortable, you should withdraw from this class.

Your continued class attendance constitutes your recognition and awareness that these materials will be presented and discussed.

Students with disabilities who may have special requirements should inform DSPS and the instructor as soon as possible. Please read through the handbook if you have any questions regarding DSPS: http://www.mtsac.edu/dsps/formsdocs/dsps_handbook.pdf

Grading:

Attendance/Participation=30 points

Concert Report =25 points

CD Review=25 points

Exams/listening quiz=150 points

Additional homework assignments (Video questions, etc…) Points to be determined

A - 90-100%

B - 80-89%

C - 70-79%

D - 60-69%

F - 59% - 0%

Attendance/Participation (30 points)
Attendance is mandatory. Absences are excused at the sole discretion of the instructor; appropriate reason (illness) and prior notification are required for an absence to be excused. Two unexcused absences will receive and automatic deduction of 5 points from the student’s total for the semester. In class assignments will could participation points.

Concert Report & CD review (25 points each, 50 points total)
Students are required to attend at least 1 jazz concert outside of class, and write 1 jazz CD review. Both reports must be at least two pages in length. Both reports are due before the final exam. Concert reports will not be accepted late. Concert report must consist of appropriate college-level writing, organization and presentation. Reports may not be emailed. (Follow concert review & CD review form attached to syllabus)

Tests (3 @ 50 points each)
Exams will contain a Multiple-Choice test on material covered in class and/or in the reading. The tests will also contain a Listening Test on the selections featured on the audio CDs included with the text.

Class Policies

Make-ups:
Exams may only be made up for exceptional circumstances (i.e. illness, family emergency), and only if the student has contacted the instructor before the class session. The instructor reserves the right to refuse a makeup exam.

Student Conduct:
Students are required to conduct themselves in a manner appropriate to college learning level at all times. Inappropriate, disruptive, and abusive behavior (i.e. cell phones) will not be tolerated. Students who persist in such behavior will be removed from class, receive and “F” and will be reported to the Student Life Office for disciplinary action.

Cheating/Plagiarism:
The Mt. SAC policy on cheating and plagiarism: Any student caught using unauthorized materials or resources during an exam, or cheating in any way, or plagiarizing part or whole of the original writings of another, will receive a grade of “F” for the semester. Students will not be allowed to leave the classroom, to receive or make phone calls, or otherwise communicate with others during exams.

Students are required to actually attend the live jazz event they are writing their report on. Failure to do so constitutes cheating, and will be treated as such.

Drops/Incompletes:
Any mid-semester drops are the sole responsibility of the STUDENT. THERE WILL BE NO TEACHER-INITIATED DROPS. Incompletes are STRONGLY DISCOURAGED by Admissions and Records and are generally reserved for exceptional circumstances that occur after the drop deadline.

Mt SAC strives to make all of our courses accessible to everyone. If you have difficulty accessing any class material or have special needs, please let me know as soon as possible. Additionally, you are encouraged to seek accommodations for verified disabilities or medical conditions be contacting Disabled Student Programs and Services (9-B Student Services) and making a request. Your success in class is important.

Additional Resources:

NPR Jazz Site: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10002

PBS Jazz Site:
http://www.pbs.org/jazz/

Jazz Study Space Site. (Different book, but good information with outlines)
http://www.wwnorton.com/college/music/jazz-essentials/welcome.aspx

Jazz instruction videos on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/bjensenjazz

Jazz Performance Report Instructions

You MUST attend 1 jazz concert.

Both Reports are due on the day of the Final Exam
IF YOU ARE A MUSICIAN, YOU MAY NOT DO YOUR REPORT ABOUT A CONCERT ON WHICH YOU PERFORM.
You have plenty of time to plan, so plan wisely. . .

REPORT INSTRUCTIONS

1. When submitting your report you MUST attach proof of attendance:

a. If attending a concert, attach both your TICKET STUB as well as the CONCERT PROGRAM to your report.

b. If attending a jazz club, attach your RECEIPT from the club as well as a CLUB BUSINESS CARD or CLUB CALENDAR to your report.

2. Your jazz performance report MUST BE A MINIMUM OF TWO (2) PAGES TYPEWRITTEN, DOUBLE SPACED.
NO HANDWRITTEN REPORTS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

3. In the introduction of the report, be sure to mention:
(This information does NOT count as the 2 pages of written material)

a. Who performed (list the names and instruments of ALL THE MUSICIANS)

b. Where the performance was held

c. The date and time of the performance

d. What material was performed

4. You must discuss in detail three (3) different pieces performed
(If you attend a Mt SAC concert, you must stay through the intermission. You must pick pieces from both halves of the concert)
(This is the information that counts in your 2 pages of written material)

a. Discuss the following for each piece:

i. Title of the Piece

ii. Style of the Piece

iii. Who plays the melody? How was it played? How did their playing make you feel? Etc.

iv. Soloists (in detail—not just “Bob played a solo on the trumpet . . .” Go into detail about what they played, how they interacted with the other musicians, how their solo made you feel, etc.

v. Your opinions

1. Likes

2. Dislikes

3. Favorite Section of the Piece

5. Conclude the report by discussing your overall impression of the performance (likes, dislikes, etc.). If you had a favorite soloist, discuss why that soloist was your favorite. If there is a headlining guest artist on the performance, discuss the guest artist. Also discuss your favorite part of the performance.

DUE DATES: By last day of class (Final exam day) reports will not be accepted after the due date

HELPFUL HINTS

1. BE ON TIME to the performance.

2. Bring a notepad and pen or pencil.

3. Take notes.

4. Talk to the musicians/vocalists/conductor, etc. after the performance and ask them pertinent questions.

5. Write your jazz performance report as soon as possible after the performance so that all the information is fresh in your mind.

CD Review Form:

Name of Artist:

Name of Album:

Tunes or compositions:

Musicians: (both principal and supporting)

MUST BE A MINIMUM OF TWO (2) PAGES TYPEWRITTEN, DOUBLE SPACED. NO HANDWRITTEN REPORTS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Possible summary focuses:

* Period in which the music represents

* Who does the artist influence? Or are they influenced? And why?

* What is the instrumentation? How does the instrumentation affect mood and timbre?

* Are there general characteristics that make the style of music identifiable? For i.e., does it swing? Or is influenced by Rock and technology? Latin based? Older style, improvisational styles?

* Are there any obvious musical forms? (Blues and AABA)

* Is the music singable? If not, does it allow a listener multiple listenings?

* What moods are set on this recording? Where would be the best place for this music to be heard?

* Is there any social significance to this recording?

* Is this music reacting to any previous musical styles?

* How do the musicians react to one another? Does the shoe fit?

* Are there vocals? Does the text have any significance? Or is the text on these collections rather distant to the music being performed?

* Is this recording compositional or improvisational or both?

DUE DATES: By last day of class (Final exam day) reports will not be accepted after the due date